contraction
noun
con·trac·tion
kən-ˈtrak-shən 
1
a
: the action or process of contracting
The hot metal undergoes contraction as it cools.
: the state of being contracted
b
: the shortening and thickening of a functioning muscle or muscle fiber
c
: a reduction in business activity or growth
d
: the act of acquiring or incurring (something, such as a debt) or catching (something, such as an infection)
contraction of pneumonia
2
: a shortening of a word, syllable, or word group by omission of a sound or letter
also
: a form produced by such shortening
"They'll" is a contraction for "they will."
Examples of contraction in a Sentence
The hot metal undergoes contraction as it cools.
Two teams were eliminated in the contraction of the baseball league.
She felt contractions every two minutes.
Recent Examples on the Web
The high-profile bank failures of 2023—including Signature Bank and Silicon Valley Bank—triggered a contraction in CRE lending, particularly among regional banks.
—
Andrew Denardo, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Caffeine and chlorogenic acid in coffee also work together to stimulate gut contractions, according to Levi.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
The industry is in a precarious place right now because of the contraction and the shrinking of the industry — less product, less money to go around — so that especially affects indies.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
The market contraction for original IP in 3D can also be felt at film festivals.
—Gregg Goldstein, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Andrew Denardo, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Caffeine and chlorogenic acid in coffee also work together to stimulate gut contractions, according to Levi.
—Allison Forsyth, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
The industry is in a precarious place right now because of the contraction and the shrinking of the industry — less product, less money to go around — so that especially affects indies.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
The market contraction for original IP in 3D can also be felt at film festivals.
—Gregg Goldstein, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contraction
Video
On Contractions of Multiple Words
You all would not have guessed some of these
Cite this Entry
“Contraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contraction. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
contraction
noun
con·trac·tion
kən-ˈtrak-shən
1
a
: the act or process of contracting : the state of being contracted
b
: the shortening and thickening of a working muscle or muscle fiber
2
a
: a shortening of a word, syllable, or word group by leaving out a sound or letter
b
: a form (as don't or they've) produced by such shortening
Medical Definition
contraction
noun
con·trac·tion
kən-ˈtrak-shən
1
: the action or process of contracting : the state of being contracted
contraction of hepatitis
lung expansion and contraction in breathing—P. G. Donohue
P. G. Donohue2
: the action of a functioning muscle or muscle fiber in which force is generated accompanied especially by shortening and thickening of the muscle or muscle fiber or sometimes by its lengthening
isometric contraction
isotonic contraction
especially
: the shortening and thickening of a functioning muscle or muscle fiber
3
: one of usually a series of rhythmic tightening actions of the uterine muscles (as during menstruation or labor)
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